The Speaker of the Legislative Chamber Nuriddin Ismoilov chaired the meeting.

The National Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan was performed.

In accordance with Article 94 of the renewed Constitution, the consideration and approval of the candidacy of the Prime Minister is the exclusive authority of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis. According to Article 118, the candidacy of the Prime Minister is submitted by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In this regard, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed the meeting.

“In today’s difficult conditions, responsibility for implementing strategic and current tasks facing our country, especially at all levels of the executive branch, the government, and its leader, is increasing as never before. Today, our people expect concrete results from the new government”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

First, the Head of state has focused on implementing programs over the past five years. During this period, the country’s economy has doubled and exceeded the historic threshold of $100 billion. Per capita income is expected to reach $3 thousand.

Exports have grown almost 2-fold, exceeding $25 billion for the first time, and gold and foreign exchange reserves have exceeded $40 billion. The volume of foreign investment has increased 6-fold, which has created 1.5 million high-paying jobs.

Over the past three years, ten large solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 2.7 million kilowatt-hours have been commissioned. The share of alternative energy has tripled compared to last year.

Preschool education coverage has exceeded 74 percent, and higher education coverage has reached 39 percent. “Inson” centers have opened in all regions, where social workers provide more than 100 social services.

The Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy sets a goal of achieving a gross domestic product of $160 billion. Thanks to the mobilization of all possibilities, this figure is expected to be $110 billion this year.

If this rate continues, by 2030, the country’s economy will reach $200 billion. This will lead to a sharp increase in the standard and quality of life of the population.

In particular, it will be possible to increase per capita income by more than $5 thousand, reduce the poverty level to 5 percent, introduce a social insurance system for those in need, double the cost of healthcare, cover all citizens with medical insurance and guaranteed medical care, and build 150 thousand units of modern housing annually.

The Head of state outlined the most important areas of work.

First, it is necessary to maintain macroeconomic balance and ensure economic growth rates at 6-7 percent in the next five years. At the same time, inflation should be 5-6 percent, the budget deficit – no more than 3 percent, and the volume of annual lending – $30 billion.

Second, the task of the Cabinet of Ministers’ economic complex is to lift 1 million people out of poverty by 2025. By 2030, the unemployment rate should not exceed the internationally recommended 5-6 percent.

Third, to grow the economy and the population’s income, special attention should be paid to industries with high-added value. The Cabinet of Ministers’ investment complex should implement more than 300 major projects that will benefit the economy next year. It is also important to reliably provide the economy with energy resources and double energy efficiency.

Fourth, one of the key tasks remains increasing the share of the private sector in the economy to 85 percent in the next five years. To do this, it is necessary to sell state shares in 2,000 enterprises and over 5,000 real estate objects and also place shares of 16 large complexes through an IPO. The government must implement public-private partnership projects worth $30 billion.

Fifth, ensuring food security will remain one of the most pressing tasks. The government must ensure the implementation of programs in this area, increase agricultural production by 1.3 times, and bring the average income per hectare to $5,000.

The tasks of improving the quality of education, developing healthcare and sports, and improving social services were also outlined.

The President emphasized the importance of cooperation between the government and parliament to achieve these goals.

First of all, it is necessary to bring the activities of executive authorities even closer to the people. Control over the implementation of laws should be carried out jointly with the relevant committees of both chambers of the Oliy Majlis and the responsible executive bodies.

The government, ministries, agencies, and heads of regions should systematically interact with the committees of the lower house to solve problems identified by deputies at the local level. In this regard, an initiative was put forward to introduce a new system, according to which the reports of state inspections exercising control in various areas will be discussed in the committees of the Legislative Chamber.

It was noted that parliamentary control is, first of all, “the control of the people, the request of the people”. It was emphasized that all leaders must be fully aware of their responsibilities and obligations in this area.

The Head of state also drew attention to the need to expand international cooperation and deepen regional interaction with immediate neighbors. In this regard, he noted the need to adopt a new version of the Foreign Policy Concept.

It was emphasized that the focus should always be on developing effective and systemic ties with Central Asian countries, other leading partners, and authoritative international and regional organizations and financial institutions.

In this challenging period, particular importance is attached to protecting the independence and sovereignty of the state, as well as the peaceful and free life of people. In this regard, increased attention will be paid to strengthening the combat and moral potential of the Armed Forces. More significant opportunities will be directed at educating young people with modern knowledge and professional skills.

“Today, only a state with such advanced young people, such devoted intellectuals, and a people united on the path of the prosperity of the Motherland will be able to ensure its national interests”, the Head of state said.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev presented Abdulla Aripov’s candidacy for the post of Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Abdulla Aripov presented the Action Program of the Cabinet of Ministers for the near future and the long term.

As part of the discussion of this candidacy and the program, the leaders of factions of political parties and deputies expressed their opinions.

Following the results of the secret ballot, the candidacy of Abdulla Aripov for the post of Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan was approved. A decision was made by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis on this issue.

Following the meeting, priority areas of work for the next year were discussed.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed declaring 2025 in the country the Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy. Essential tasks in this direction were outlined.

“Today, we are entering a completely new stage in the development of our country. I am sure that this will be a period of rapid development of our New Uzbekistan, conquering even higher peaks of progress. This stage will go down in history as a time of formation of remarkable traditions in the work of parliament and government, based on devoted service to our people”, the President concluded.